By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Compiled Report
This year, Japan has been hit by a series of natural disasters, including typhoons, floods, and earthquakes, all of which have affected local tourism. In early September, a massive 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Hokkaido, leading many travelers to cancel their hotel bookings. In response, the local government announced in October that it would provide tourists visiting Hokkaido with a subsidy covering 70% of their accommodation costs, up to a maximum of 5 nights.
Hokkaido’s tourism industry has been severely impacted by the natural disasters (Image provided by Sapporo Tourism Association)
Since the major earthquake in early September, over 9.4 million hotel bookings in Hokkaido have been canceled, resulting in tourism-related economic losses—including those in the food and beverage sector—totaling 29.2 billion yen (approximately NT$8.2 billion), marking a significant blow.
The Mitsukoshi Sapporo store near Odori Park is a popular shopping destination in Sapporo, Hokkaido (Image / MOOK)
To quickly revive Hokkaido’s tourism industry, the Japanese government has introduced a policy to subsidize travelers’ accommodation costs, similar to what was done after the Kumamoto earthquake in Kyushu. The specifics differ depending on whether the traveler is from Japan or overseas.
The Tanukikoji Shopping Street in Sapporo, Hokkaido, is a must-visit attraction for tourists (Image / Don Quijote Genki no Daimaru)
For international travelers, starting in October, the subsidy will cover 70% of accommodation costs per night, with a maximum subsidy of 20,000 yen per night and up to 5 nights in total. For Japanese travelers, the subsidy can range from 30% to 70%, with a maximum of 3 nights covered. However, the detailed application process has not yet been officially announced.
The Otaru Canal is another must-see destination for travelers visiting Hokkaido (Image source / Otaru Snow Light Path Festival)
With Hokkaido’s autumn foliage season about to begin, this subsidy policy aims to attract international tourists back and restore the region’s former bustling tourism crowds.